The NSW Parliament has debated whether to repeal the controversial Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, following a powerful, community-led campaign that saw 11,331 people sign a petition calling for the law to be scrapped.
The petition – coordinated by Invasive Species Council volunteers – was tabled by Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, and backed by MPs from across the political spectrum in a passionate debate that saw no opposition voices speak in support of the Act.
Almost 100 supporters travelled to Parliament to witness the historic debate from the public gallery.
‘The ridiculous Barilaro law was never based on science – it was a political stunt that protects a population of destructive feral horses in Australia’s fragile alpine national park,’ Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough said.
‘It was a real demonstration of the public and political shift on this issue that not a single opposition voice spoke in parliament last night during the debate.
‘We knew John Barilaro was on his own when the Act came in and without him in the parliament it’s clear this law has no friends, apart from a few fringe voices in the Upper House.
‘We heard in the debate the support for repeal from Dr Joe McGirr, the local member for Wagga Wagga, the Liberals, Greens and senior Labor Ministers including Steve Whan, the member for Monaro.
‘The law requires 3,000 feral horses to remain trashing and trampling one third of the iconic Kosciuszko National Park, endangering drivers and polluting the headwaters of the Murray and Murrumbidgee. This is ridiculous.
‘There are clearly the numbers in parliament to overturn this bad law. We now need Premier Minns to step up and ensure this happens.’
Reclaim Kosci petition coordinator Linda Groom said: ‘This started as a bushwalker’s plea for help – now it’s become a people-powered push to protect the mountains.
‘I’m proud that more than 11,300 people added their name to call time on this destructive law and I’m even prouder to see the community rally together with almost 100 people travelling across the state to attend the debate.
‘It is clear that there is overwhelming support for removing feral horses – including through lethal control – in order to give these alpine landscapes a chance to heal and prevent species, found nowhere else on earth, from extinction.’
Snowy River guide, Reclaim Kosci founder and Invasive Species Council Indigenous Ambassador Richard Swain said:
‘Feral horses trample our fragile landscapes, pollute our streams and damage sacred Country.
‘Finally, the health of the soil, water and our native species in the Snowy Mountains is healing but we now need to fix the ridiculous law that still protects a feral animal over our native plants and animals.
‘For the sake of the high Country it is past time that we put to bed the senseless arguments and accept the evidence that removing feral horses is the only way of protecting Country from this destruction.
‘There should be no laws on the books that protect a feral animal over our native animals. The next step must be for Parliament to repeal this regrettable law once and for all.’
Media inquiries: (02) 8006 5004
Photos of the debate are available here.
A link to the full debate is available here.
Background:
- The local members covering the park – Joe McGirr (independent- Wagga Wagga) and Minister Steve Whan (Labor – Monaro) both explicitly backed repeal of the Act. They were joined by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle (Labor – Blue Mountains), former Environment Minister and current Liberal shadow Environment Minister James Griffin (Manly), and Kobi Shetty for the Greens (Balmain).
- The top 10 electorates for petition signers are:
- Goulburn
- Monaro
- Willoughby
- Kiama
- Newtown
- Blue Mountains
- Cootamundra
- Lane Cove
- Manly
- Balmain
- The transcript of the debate is here.
Dr Joe McGirr, Independent Member for Wagga Wagga:
In environmental terms, this Act cannot be justified. Feral horses are an invasive species that trample wetlands and pollute waterways. They compact the soil and contribute to erosion. They are large, hard-hoofed animals without natural predators and they live in an environment that has not evolved to cope with them. Why should this invasive species be given protection over native species? Would we legislate to protect foxes, goats or pigs in our national parks? Would it make any sense to have a “Kosciuszko Wild Pig Heritage Act”?
Science does not lie. We cannot cry fake news when the evidence defies emotion. The time has now come to preference science over emotion and repeal the Act.
Minister Steve Whan, Labor Member for Monaro:
As the member for Monaro, I make it clear that I think it is an appalling piece of legislation. It would have been opposed if I was a member of Parliament at the time. It is still my view that we should get rid of that legislation.
Like many in the gallery, I regularly walk in the park and have seen the damaged areas. I have been excited to see photos of some of those areas and the recovery that is already taking place, even in the short time since we have reduced brumby numbers in the park.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Trish Doyle, Labor Member for Blue Mountains:
A crucial and important point to make today is that the request, put on behalf of the petition’s organisers by the member for Wagga Wagga, is not off the table. That is my understanding.
I remember tearing into the then Deputy Premier in 2019 when he was talking about brumbies and reminding him it was The Man from Snowy River, not The Brumby from Snowy River. It is important that we continue to work together for an eventual repeal.
Koby Shetty, Greens Member for Ballina:
The Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018 is the only legislation in Australia that mandates the retention of a damaging non-native species within a national park. It is at odds with the purpose of a national park, which is to conserve native species and ecosystems.
The Greens stand alongside scientists, conservationists and the community in their calls for the bill to be repealed.
Former Environment Minister and current shadow Environment Minister James Griffin, Liberal Member for Manly:
We must continue to protect and restore the unique Kosciuszko environment, including 32 endangered species that suffer when horse populations spiral out of control. It is science and data that should guide the next steps in the management of the park.
I place on the record my immense thanks and gratitude to the thousands of people who have been part of a very long journey to ensure this issue is raised in the New South Wales Parliament. It is an important mission. I commend the petition to the House.
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